Refurbish D Wing Elevator Questions and Answers.docx

Fayetteville VA Medical Center Solicitation #: 36C24626B0019 Refurbish D-Wing Elevators March 11, 2026

1. Will the VA allow advanced payments (down payments) for any materials or equipment to be procured under this project, or will invoicing be restricted to when the physical materials and/or equipment have been delivered to the project site? VA Answer: There will be no advance payments as this will be a firm-fixed priced contract. Payments will be Net 30 per approval of reviewed pay applications.

2. Can the VA confirm that bidding contractors must only utilize American Made, non-proprietary, universally serviceable equipment for this solicitation? VA Answer: Per Buy American statue for construction material located in FAR 25.201, the VA confirms that “The Buy American statute restricts the purchase of construction materials that are not domestic construction materials.”

3. There is mention of QCM in Spec section 1.9-D however, there are no additional notes specifying one is required on the project, will a dedicated QCM be required? Yes. A dedicated Quality Control Manager (QCM) meeting the requirements of Specification Section 01 45 00 – Quality Control is required.

4. Can the VA confirm Code year for this project will be 2022? Yes. The governing codes for this project are the 2022 editions adopted by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

5. Can the VA confirm if the contractor will be able to use on site toilet facilities or if we should provide temporary Toilets? VA Answer: There are public restroom facilities located within the corridor of the work area.

6. Has the VA completed a Pre-Alteration survey for lead and asbestos? There is a note on page 81 of the Solicitation regarding ACM (Asbestos containing material), please clarify if there is Asbestos/Lead scope anticipated on the project. VA Answer: A Pre-Alteration Survey has been completed. Any asbestos-containing materials (ACM) or lead-based paint encountered during construction shall be handled in accordance with the contract specifications and applicable VA environmental requirements.

7. The Design narrative reads that the contractor is to provide surface mounted sump pumps. Keynote 7 on AE100 notes to install new sump pit basins. Sump pit basins are generally not needed if providing surface mounted sump pumps, please clarify design intent. VA Answer: The design intent is for the contractor to install new sump pit basins and associated surface mounted sump pumps as indicated on the drawings.

8. Keynote 9 on drawing AE110 says on all three floors: remove and reinstall all corner guards, IPC mid rails, IPC Lower bumper rail, AED medical equipment wall box, Signage.” However, starting at the top of page 4 of the specifications it reads that “All vestibules will be updated with new corner guards, bumper rails, base and paint to a level 4 finish.” Please confirm design intent. VA Answer: Existing corner guards, IPC rails, and related items shall be removed and reinstalled where feasible. Vestibule areas specifically identified in the specifications shall receive new corner guards, bumper rails, base, and Level 4 finish paint.

9. General Plan Note A on AE201 reads, the Contractor is to remove all existing fire sealant and fire sealant labels and provide new fire/smoke sealant and sealant labels from the walls, floors and ceilings and install new labels after painting is completed.

a. Can the VA please clarify if the design intent is to replace existing fire sealant at wall/ceiling/floor penetrations? If so, can the VA please provide quantity?

b. Can the VA please provide photos of the existing fire sealant to be replaced?

VA Answer:

a. Existing fire sealant and labels at penetrations within the project work area shall be removed and replaced with new fire/smoke sealant systems. Contractor shall review the contract drawings and specifications to verify the quantity of required sealant labels. Quantities can be identified on sheet AE100 and confirmed with MEP drawings. Contractor shall provide the calculated quantity along with the drawing sheet numbers and locations used for the takeoff.

b. Photos are not available.

10. General Plan note C on AE201 reads, all existing elevator room mechanical grills, and diffusers shall be removed, cleaned, painted with a manufacture approved urethane paint and re-installed using new stainless-steel hardware. Can the VA provide quantity of grills and diffusers? VA Answer: Contractor shall review the contract drawings and specifications to verify the quantity of grills and diffusers. Quantities can be identified on sheet MH100 and confirmed with sheet AE111. Contractor shall provide the calculated quantity along with the drawing sheet numbers and locations used for the takeoff.

11. Will Microsoft Project be an acceptable scheduling tool for the project? VA Answer: Microsoft Project has no documented or known issues; however, compatibility and VA accessibility must be verified after contract award.

12. What software will be utilized on the project for submittal transfers? Will the Prime contractor be responsible for purchasing and maintaining? VA Answer: The prime contractor is responsible for the purchase and management of the project management site of choice, for example, procure, submittal exchange, etc.

13. Will the client require any construction management software to be utilized on the project? Will the Prime contractor be responsible for purchasing and maintaining? VA Answer: No specific software platform is required. The Prime Contractor may utilize a project management platform of their choice and is responsible for procurement and management..

14. Can the VA please identify a lay down area on site where contractors can stage materials and equipment? VA Answer: This will be arranged once the project has been awarded.

15. Can the VA please identify the location of placement for project dumpsters? VA Answer: This will be arranged once the project has been awarded as it is typically in or near the laydown area.

16. Please provide contact information for existing building Fire Alarm vendor. VA Answer: Contact information will be provided to the awarded contractor during project kickoff.

17. Please provide contact information for existing building Fire Protection vendor. VA Answer: Contact information will be provided to the awarded contractor during project kickoff.

18. Can the VA please confirm what pieces of equipment the VA requests the contractor to tie into the existing BAS system? VA Answer: Equipment requiring monitoring or control as identified in the mechanical and electrical drawings and specifications shall be integrated into the existing BAS system.

19. Can the VA provide contact information for existing building BAS/BMS Vendor? VA Answer: Vendor contact information will be provided to the awarded contractor.

20. Keynote 11 - Drawing AE201 - "Provide new painted red fire sleeve for conductor currently running through the hydraulic fire sleeve." Can the VA Please provide photos of this area? Note 13 - says "Existing fire sleeve paint red, can we do the same with Note 11. VA Answer: No photos available. Awarded Contractor shall verify existing conditions during site investigation.

21. Can the VA please provide POC for the Existing Roof Vendor? VA Answer: The roof manufacturer/vendor contact information will be provided after contract award.

22. Can the VA confirm if only one elevator is allowed out of service at a time? VA Answer: Only one elevator will be allowed out of service at a time.

a. If only one car can be taken out of service at a time, will the VA advise if the POP can be extended, due to the location and areas served by these units. VA Answer: Phasing has been provided within the SOW to allow for reasonable period of performance refurbishing one elevator at a time.

23. Can the VA confirm that both Hydraulic elevators are currently on emergency power and there are existing ATS feeds/signals? VA Answer: Contractor shall review the contract drawing sheet EL100, which shows the elevator feeder originating from the emergency distribution through the existing ATS.

24. Per the Specifications, can the VA please confirm to reuse the existing car enclosure, the stainless-steel panels, and existing in car handrails, are to be re-finished. VA Answer: Specifications indicate a combination of polished existing stainless-steel surfaces and new cab finish components. Bid shall be in accordance with the drawings and specifications, including new work where indicated.

25. Can the VA please advise if complete jack/plunger assembles including buffers and pit channels are desired, the specs and assessment are not clear and in line with one another? VA Answer: Existing jack/plunger assemblies shall remain unless deficiencies are identified during refurbishment requiring replacement.

26. Can the VA please confirm that new shut-off valves are only required in the pits and not machine rooms?

VA Answer: Shut-off valves shall be installed in the elevator pits as indicated in the specifications.

27. If the work area has an active sprinkler system, can a smoke spread rating satisfy the fire rating requirements?

VA Answer: Requirements shall comply with the facility ICRA plan and life safety requirements.

28. I see Negative air is mentioned in the ICRA plan. Will air pressure monitors be required?

VA Answer: Yes. Negative air pressure monitoring devices are required where negative air containment is implemented.

29. Is there a plan in place for exhausting air from the work area to create negative pressure?

VA Answer: Negative air shall be maintained using HEPA filtered negative air machines exhausting air in accordance with ICRA requirements.

30. Can you confirm if the ICRA barriers will need to be removed/reinstalled at the start/end of each shift?

VA Answer: No, ICRA barriers shall remain in place unless temporary removal is required for construction activities and approval by the COR and Infection Control.

31. Where plastic barriers are called for, is the intent to use a hard wall barrier? VA Answer: Documents indicate both, depending on activity/location: lobby prep and certain dust-generating work call for ZipWall or one-hour plastic fire barrier, while access to the cab specifically requires a hard-wall Level III access area.

32. What is the fire rating requirement for ICRA barriers? VA Answer: ICRA barriers shall comply with VA infection control and life safety requirements, typically 1-hour rated where required by location

33. Can further clarification be provided to indicate which phases will require night work where ICRA (plastic barriers) would need to be removed and reinstalled daily? VA Answer: Night work requirements will be coordinated with the COR and facility operations based on the contractor’s approved schedule.

34. Spec section 01 00 00-1.5 - C states the GC shall provide unarmed guards at the project site after construction hours and shall install equipment for recording guard rounds to ensure systemic checking of the premises. Please verify if this is required. if required, please provide qualification data of guards if applicable. Please confirm guards will be required for entire project duration while work is being performed. Please provide what the VA would consider as acceptable "equipment" that is required for recording guard rounds. Could this simply be a sign in sheet that is initialed every hour? VA Answer: The Fayetteville VAMC campus maintains 24-hour VA Police coverage. No separate / individual project security services are required. Contractor shall coordinate site access with VA Police through communication with COR and comply with facility security procedures.

35. Reference spec section 01 00 00 section 1.25 - please confirm if this section applies to the job and if required.

VA Answer: Section 1.25 does apply where welding/cutting or other hot work is performed; however, it is located in Section 01 35 26 Safety Requirements, not 01 00 00. Contractor shall comply with NFPA 241/NFPA 51B and obtain hot work permits at least 48 hours in advance.

36. Reference spec section 01 45 00. There are several // located within this spec which appears to indicate the spec has not been reviewed or made job specific. The requirements for QC organization and qualifications of the CQC system manager are unclear. Please provide an updated spec with clear requirements. VA Answer: For planning purposes, contractor shall assume a standard Contractor Quality Control program with a designated CQC System Manager responsible for the Preparatory, Initial and Follow-up phases of control in accordance with typical VA quality control procedures.

37. Please confirm the minimum number of onsite personnel that will be required to fulfill the roles of GC Superintendent, SSHO, and QC officer. VA Answer: The contractor shall provide at minimum one Superintendent, one Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO), and one Quality Control Manager (QCM) meeting the qualifications specified in the contract documents.

38. The Specifications Book does not have a Table of Contents for the Specs Sections. Can you please include one in the amendment? VA Answer: Table of Contents located on page 70.

39. General note D on sheet AE110 indicates to "repair and/or replace existing suspended Acoustical Ceiling system. New construction to match existing". Drawing AE111 indicates ceilings are to remain. The drawings and details do not show any new ACT ceilings to be installed. Please confirm if new ACT is required or if the note on AE110 is only intended to address locations where ceiling tiles may need to be removed and reinstalled to complete above ceiling work. VA Answer: Existing ceiling system to remain. AE110 only applies to locations where ceiling tiles or grid must be temporarily removed and reinstalled or repaired / replaced if damaged.

40. Please provide details of existing roof where new pitch pockets are required and details that will need to be implemented to be compliant with existing roof warranty as per notes on sheet AE202. VA Answer: Contractor shall coordinate with the existing roof manufacturer/vendor for approved pitch pocket installation methods to maintain roof warranty compliance.

41. Please confirm keynote 4 on sheet AE110 only applies to new penetrations. If this note is to cover sealing of existing penetrations, please provide qty and size of existing penetrations or pics of area. VA Answer: The documents do not limit this only to new penetrations. Current notes are written broadly: penetrations through floors, rated walls, and partitions are to be sealed to maintain rating, and GC002 also requires UL-approved fire sleeves on all shaft wall penetrations with labeling/documentation to VA. Existing penetration quantity/size is not identified in the bid documents; contractor to field verify existing conditions.

42. Which ASME A17.1 code year shall govern this project? VA Answer: The governing elevator code for this project is ASME A17.1 – 2022.

43. DISCUSSION: ASME A17.1 – 2022 is the most current Elevator Code. This code requires electrical, elevator, and communications items not found in the project drawings. Some requirements of the ASME A17.1-2019 are also not found in the project drawings. In order to produce accurate bids and even competition amongst bidders the elevator code year must be specified. VA Answer: Contractor shall comply with the elevator code requirements referenced in the contract documents. Any request for variance from the applicable code requirements must be submitted for VA review and approval.

44. Shall Variance be made for Elevator Pit Ladder due to space constraints? VA Answer: A variance may be considered subject to VA review and approval.

45. DISCUSSION: The existing pit ladder is space constrained on the divider beam and is custom fabricated to fit the elevator shaft. Space does not exist on either side of the elevator cab to install a compliant elevator pit ladder. Due to space constraints, please confirm the VA will accept and provide a variance for the elevator pit ladder to be retained as is regardless of the applicable code. VA Answer: A variance may be considered subject to VA review and approval.

46. Shall any additional variances be made to the applicable code year requested by the VA? VA Answer: A variance may be considered subject to VA review and approval.

47. DISCUSSION: Video Monitoring of the elevator cab, 2-way audio and visual communication, and remote elevator status monitoring are all required under recent additions to the Elevator Code. For privacy reasons, the VA only recognizes specific manufacturers of these items or often forgoes the requirement in lieu of a variance. Please specify if any variances will be made to the applicable code year. VA Answer: Contractor shall comply with the elevator code requirements referenced in the contract documents. Any request for variance from the applicable code requirements must be submitted for VA review and approval.

48. Shall Cab Shell Replacement be an acceptable alternative to Cladding? VA Answer: Cab shell replacement may be submitted as an alternate for VA review and approval.

49. DISCUSSION: Cladding Existing Cab Shell is costly and time consuming providing a moderately improved finish. Replacing the cab structure provides a superior alternative and improves fit and finish of the elevator cab. Shall the VA prefer or accept as alternate replacing the Cab Shell? VA Answer: Cab shell replacement may be submitted as an alternate for VA review and approval.

50. Shall Hall Door Replacement be an acceptable alternative to hall door cladding? VA Answer: Hall door replacement may be submitted as an alternate for VA review and approval.

51. DISCUSSION: Hoistway Door Panel Cladding is costly and time consuming. Shall the VA prefer or accept as alternate replacing the Hoistway Doors? VA Answer: Hoistway door replacement may be submitted as an alternate for VA review and approval.

52. Shall the Contractor need to provide a connex container for storage or shall a laydown area inside the facility be provided? VA Answer: Contractors shall include the cost of providing their own connex container for project storage needs. VA will not provide contractor storage. All storage containers shall be contractor-furnished and coordinated with the COR for placement on site.

53. Please specify the location for onsite storage of materials and tools? VA Answer: Storage locations will be coordinated after contract award based on available space and operational requirements.

54. DISCUSSION: Material handling times must be factored into labor costs. Location of onsite storage nearest to the elevator within the facility provides the most economical solution. VA Answer: Storage locations will be coordinated after contract award based on available space and operational requirements.

55. Please confirm all Contractor Personnel must meet badging and infectious disease requirements for the facility? Includes PPD and ICRA Class? VA Answer: Yes. All contractor personnel must comply with VA badging, PPD testing, and infection control requirements including ICRA protocols.

56. Please confirm we can use the VA loading doc to unload (mob) and load (demob)? VA Answer: Use of the VA loading dock may be permitted with coordination and approval from the COR.

57. Who is the incumbent or current elevator service provider for the D Wing elevators? VA Answer: The current elevator service provider will be identified after contract award.

58. Is there a list available of required spare replacement parts as referenced in the scope of work document? VA Answer: Required spare parts are identified within the specifications and final submittal requirements.